Tackling poverty in Saint John, New Brunswick

SAINT JOHN, NB, Sept. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - On September 2, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced the Tackling Poverty Together Project in Saint John, New Brunswick, which will inform the development of the new Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. This will allow the Government to learn about the impact of current poverty reduction programs on the ground, in communities that have identified poverty as an issue, while learning directly from persons with the lived experience of poverty.

Also, along with Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick, and Stephen Horsman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Families and Children, Minister Duclos announced a new investment of $56 million to give greater access to more affordable housing for seniors and victims of family violence, and to address repairs of existing social housing.

During his visit, Minister Duclos met the Member of Parliament for Saint John–Rothesay, Wayne Long, to discuss long-term goals in tackling poverty.

Minister Duclos attended the Living SJ Open House and visited children and residents in Crescent Valley. He also met with citizen action groups and organizations such as the Human Development Council, the Teen Resource Centre, the Outflow Men's Shelter, the Coverdale Centre for Women, the Housing Alternatives Group and other various stewards to discuss challenges, perspectives and long-term visions.

Quote

"Learning directly from persons with lived experience of poverty and working together with communities who have identified poverty as an issue is important. By opening up the dialogue with stewards and residents in Saint John, New Brunswick, it will provide further insight for the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy." – The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

Canada's low-income rate has been around 9 percent for the past decade. This means that every way, 3 million Canadians are living in poverty.

Sixty-three percent of single, low-income seniors are women.

About 746,000 Canadians live in a household where the main income earner is working poor.

In 2014, more than half a million children in our country were living in low-income households.

For further information: Emilie Gauduchon-Campbell, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca